What does it mean to be a Member of the Order?
Imperial Chivlary of St. George is an active Order of Chivalry. This means that we expect our members to be an active part of what we do, participate in assisting the Order attain it’s goals, and be a model for society. One example of what our Order will be doing is the Esquire program. This program is designed to give children the self-confidence they need, the ability to respect themselves, the courage to stand for what they believe, and the fortitude to see things through. With the direction society is going, we can find no larger need than to equip our children with the power of Christian courage and morality.
- Always support, care for, and defend fellow Brother Knights and Sister Dames. As Knights, it is not only our responsibility to the Order but a command from God to take care of one another. Knights must act as protectors, providers, and inspirations to their Sister Dames. Dames must act to support, care for, and nurture their Brother Knights. Each Knight must look upon a fellow Knight as his brother, and look upon each Dame as a sister. The door of a Knight will never be shut to a brother Knight. In today's society, this can be a very challenging responsibility.
- Always strive for the growth of the Order. As Knights, we are requested to at least attempt to attract two additional members into the Order. This philosophy has been adopted from examples of other noble ancient Orders, such as the Sovereign Military Order of the Temple of Jerusalem (Knights Templar). The reasoning behind this is simple, attracting new members will continually grow the Order, not only in numbers, but in the amount in which it can accomplish. In addition, we also know that it is far better for the spiritual needs of our Knights and Dames to be able to commune with others.
- Always keep the Order dynamic and active. This Order is not a social club, although there is a time and place for communion and meetings with other members. Membership meetings are important, as well as members going to activities (having fun and enjoying life brings energy into a culture); for just one example, the members joining a bowling league. However, these meetings and social events are not enough. Our Knights are responsible for keeping the Order active. This means that we encourage every Ballei to start their own community projects (with the approval from the Grand Council). We understand that every community is different and has different needs, therefore those in that community are encouraged to plan and implement programs designed to uplift that community (for example, the Esquire Program). By each Ballei being allowed to request permission for their unique programs, this keeps the Order dynamic, not just active.
- We know that no one likes to talk about this one, but financial is a key component of any organization. Even the Catholic Church would not be able to exist without donations from members. Therefore, we do have a relatively small yearly membership dues. These dues keep you as a current member in good standing in the Order. Failure to maintain these dues drastically reduces the ability of the Order to create and support community functions on a national level, assist a local Ballei with implementation of a new program, or at times, assisting in the financial well-being of a member Knight. Additionally, failure to maintain these dues will change your membership status to inactive. While your title of Knight can never be taken away (it is a legal title), you will be excluded from any of the benefits of being a member.
For a formalized discription of the structure of membership. The Order has three classes of membership,
- Donates and Companions
- Squire
- Knights and Dames
- Knights and Dames of Devotion.
Donates and Companions are those who have taken upon themselves to support an organization that has a purpose to improve the quality of the spiritual welbeing of mankind. This class of membership is for those individuals who are volunteers and / or have made contributions to the Order.
Squires are a class of membership that serves two roles. Squires are those inidviduals who wish to become a member of the Order, either to petition to become a Knight, or to belong to something special. Those who are seeking Knighthood into the Order shall be strongly encouraged to become a Squire for a minimum of a year. This will allow the applicant and the Order to get to know one another and make sure that this is something that the applicant truely wants to do.
Knights shall be those who have taken upon themselves the vows of a professed Knight of the Order. These individuals shall be granted a true and legitimate title of Knighthood. The grades of Knighthood within the Order shall be the following: Member Knight, Grand Knight, Comptur, and Grand Comptur.
Knights of Devotion shall be those individuals who have taken upon themselves the vows of a professed chaplain, pastor, priest, etc. These pastors shall also be granted a true and legitimate title of Knighthood. These Knights shall be in charge of the religious and spiritual growth of other Knights and Dames.
The U.S. Grand Ballei encourages talented, accomplished men and women of high moral and ethical character to energetically pursue charitable and civic causes and to improve the Christian presence in the World. Membership in the Order requires that each candidate be a Christian of any denomination (exceptions to this rule can only be made by the approval of the Grand Comptur), and be under the right intentions.
Membership and/or Knighthood is offered by invitation only, after a careful screening and interview process indicates that both the individual seeking membership and the Order seeking the best membership possible will benefit mutually. The principal considerations in selecting members are: demonstrated good character, and an obvious commitment to the ideals of the Order. The Order invests membership upon only those men and women who conduct their daily lives in an honorable and chivalrous manner, and who are Ecumenical in thought.
The process for admissions shall be the following: request for admission, verification of requirements of admission, review of application packet, final decision granting status within the Order. The final decision and Knighting of each candidate is the sole authority of the Grand Comptur, with a veto power reserved by the Grand Master.
